Beneteau Oceanis 40.1 vs 1996 Moody 45 — Comparison
Beneteau Oceanis 40.1
1996 Moody 45
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Beneteau Oceanis 40.1 | 1996 Moody 45 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Beneteau | Moody |
| Year | 2020 | 1996–2002 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | UK |
| Designer | Marc Lombard | Bill Dixon |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 12.28 m (40.3 ft) | 13.72 m (45.0 ft) |
| LWL | 10.78 m (35.4 ft) | 11.50 m (37.7 ft) |
| Beam | 3.99 m (13.1 ft) | 4.22 m (13.8 ft) |
| Draft | 2.15 m (7.1 ft) | 1.80 m (5.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 8,500 kg (18,739 lbs) | 12,500 kg (27,558 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,600 kg (5,732 lbs) | 4,900 kg (10,803 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 70.2 m² (756 ft²) | 85.0 m² (915 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 40 HP | 55 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 200 L (52.8 gal) | 250 L (66.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 350 L (92.5 gal) | 450 L (118.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 8 | 8 |
| Cabins | 3 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Beneteau Oceanis 40.1 and 1996 Moody 45 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Beneteau Oceanis 40.1 is a modern design by Beneteau from France, while the 1996 Moody 45 is a 1990s offering from Moody from UK. The Beneteau Oceanis 40.1 was penned by Marc Lombard. The 1996 Moody 45 was designed by Bill Dixon.
In terms of size, the Beneteau Oceanis 40.1 measures 12.28m (40.3ft) overall with a beam of 3.99m, compared to the 1996 Moody 45 at 13.72m (45.0ft) with a 4.22m beam. The 1996 Moody 45 is 1.44m longer than the Beneteau Oceanis 40.1. The 1996 Moody 45 displaces approximately 47% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Beneteau Oceanis 40.1 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.12 and 70.2 m² of sail area. The 1996 Moody 45, with an SA/D of 16.03 and 85.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The Beneteau Oceanis 40.1 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Beneteau Oceanis 40.1 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 16.4) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.78). The 1996 Moody 45 has a comfort ratio of 19.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.73. The ballast ratios are 30.6% for the Beneteau Oceanis 40.1 and 39.2% for the 1996 Moody 45, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Beneteau Oceanis 40.1 provides 8 berths in 3 cabins with 350L of water capacity and 200L of fuel. The 1996 Moody 45 offers 8 berths in 3 cabins with 450L water and 250L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1996 Moody 45 is the better choice for comfortable cruising thanks to its higher comfort ratio, offering a gentler motion at sea that crews will appreciate on longer passages.
For racing: The Beneteau Oceanis 40.1 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: Both boats provide similar accommodation, making either a viable choice for living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.